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Conservative quasi-celebrities hawk projects at CPAC

By Eric Pfeiffer | The Sideshow – Fri, Feb 10, 2012

This week, conservatives are holding their annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. It's been described in some circles as the "conservative Woodstock," because thousands of people travel from around the country to attend workshops and listen to speeches from some of the movement's biggest players.

In addition to candidates and party bigwigs, there is a class of minor celebrities who show at CPAC to hawk various personal projects. If you walk the halls of the Washington, D.C. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, you stand a chance of running into former "Growing Pains" star Kirk Cameron, ex-"Love Connection" host Chuck Woolery or even Michelle Duggar, best-known for giving birth to 19 children. And this isn't the first CPAC for Stephen Baldwin.

But for whatever exposure the event offers these quasi-stars, it also inconveniently illustrates the challenges of being a Hollywood conservative. The convention cottage industry can look like a depressing circuit. Just ask actor Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters fame.

Furthermore, Hollywood is a favorite target of the conservative movement. There are even entire news sites dedicated to exposing what many on the right feel is a hostile culture in the entertainment world. That wariness often makes it difficult for conservatives to turn up the star wattage at their political events. So what exactly brings out the few Hollywood faces willing to align themselves with their conservative principles?

Cameron was attending CPAC to promote his new documentary Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure. In the movie's trailer, Cameron states, "As a father of six, I look around and all signs tell me something is sick in the soul of our country."

Woolery was attending CPAC for a more explicitly political reason. He's promoting a group called Reset Congress that aims to elect members of Congress who share the group's views on the Constitution. Mediaite taped an entertaining interview with him.

Baldwin, meanwhile, has been to CPAC before. Last year, he hosted XPAC, where CPAC attendees could blow off some steam and play video games.

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1,470 comments

John • 3 mths ago
Thank God for Conservatives. Not interested in a Godless or anything goes country.
- Obi ONE 3 mths ago
  Conservatives in no way hold a monopoly on God or even Jesus. In fact, their lack of understanding/belief of the liberal's/progressive's STRONG commitment to God, and even the STRONG liberal/progressive commitment to Jesus proves they have not put The Word of God into practice into their lives!!! They lack understanding, they lack knowledge - and The Book of Proverbs speaks strongly to gaining knowledge, understanding, and wisdom....
- Ginger 3 mths ago
  Your country is GODLESS, it requires a separation of Church and state....duh
- De Miller 3 mths ago
  Maybe because the Church (when run by zealots) infringes on the rights of EVERYBODY? Maybe that's why there's seperation. You'll dog Islamic run countries, but you want the same thing here? Confused, maybe?
Paul • 3 mths ago
A more appropriate name would be "Wingnut Woodstock." Can you imagine William F. Buckley attending an event like this?
- wrdsmth 3 mths ago
  he would have to run screaming into the night searching for someone with which to share scintillating comments.
- AquaBuddah 3 mths ago
  No, I cannot. This assemblage would be entirely beneath the old crypto-nazi Bill Buckley. I'm awaiting the punch from beyond the grave. Just kidding Bill. Your old pal Gore Vidal is still with us although quiet lately.
lee • Milwaukee, Wisconsin • 3 mths ago
IF you watch Fox News for information,RATHER than entertainment,IF you think it's pro-life rather than pro-birth,IF you voted for Jr TWICE and AREN'T sorry,what hope is there FOR you then?
patriot • 3 mths ago
where was ted nugent and victoria jackson ?
- Lonestar 3 mths ago
  In case the idiots on this site don't know... Ted Nugent is a Radical Conservative!
- Belushi 3 mths ago
  Ted Nugent is actually more of a libertarian then a conservative. He is not radical at all, he is a law enforcement officer too.
Doug • 3 mths ago
CPAC a comedian's treasure trove!...
- YoMama 3 mths ago
  unfortunately you're not one.
Ryan • Indianapolis, Indiana • 3 mths ago
here's the thing I don't know why the GOP is so hung up on pleasing these ultra conservatives. I'm a Democrat but I agree with some things Republicans stand for. I have friends that are Moderate Republicans, that highly disagree with these peoples agendas. I think if Rick Santorum gets the nomination they will have a lot of moderates voting for Obama from what I have talked with my friends about. This is the huge thing, younger people don't want the social views these people have and revert back to what it used to be. The bottom line is I view and I think the majority of this country believes that these ultra Conservatives want to go back to an era like the 50's. The only thing I agree with the 50's was the middle class was strong and we had great cars.
- frufie 3 mths ago
  I'm with you Ryan...I don't get it either. I'm also a dem and believe that both parties have some good points. But, the way the tea baggers have gone nuts & tried to change the whole landscape of the GOP just makes me think they're all losing their minds..
- A Yahoo! User 3 mths ago
  They want to go back to the principles upon which we were founded. Does that still include the subjagation of women, the eradication of the red race and the enslavement of the black race? Our history states that those were the principles.
- David & LenaC 3 mths ago
  I don't see how having a balanced budget is so crazy! Do you guys understand how much debt we're in and what that means for future generations? Sure, America has a past that isn't perfect. Can you name one that does? I don't know of a single republican that wants the return of slavery or the end of womens rights. We just want personal responsibilty to make a comeback.
  As far as social issues, republicans don't differ too much from democrats. Has Obama changed his mind on gay marriage? No. I personally agree with Dick Cheney. Everyone has the right to marry. Let me get off my soapbox.
More

Reply
PoopsyMcDuff • 3 mths ago
Where was Chuck Norris?
ClassicSporty • Keene, New Hampshire • 3 mths ago
The majority of the comments I've seen here are inconstructive & full of hate.
Mike • Jackson, Mississippi • 3 mths ago
Stephen Baldwin is a conservative?
Alex • 3 mths ago
so a bunch of c-list stars count as big stars? i don't even know who these people are.
Melissa • 3 mths ago
I suppose I could be considered liberal even though I support quite a few stereotypical beliefs, but the hate towards the "liberals" and "repubs" is making me ill. The country is divided like the Shiites and Sunnis. Makes me very sad.
ralph belamy • Encino, California • 3 mths ago
morality exists without religion
Hannah banana • Salt Lake City, Utah • 3 mths ago
there are too many stereotypes out there on conservatives, liberals, people who are religious, and people who are not. we can all learn from each other, and everyone can contribute to society in some way.
klady • 3 mths ago
It comes down to who has the most money to spend on nasty adds. What a waste of so much money when people are suffering now. This country and it's morals have gone to HELL in a hand basket!!!
Mznan • 3 mths ago
Ask Ernie Hudson what?
beauford • Kaneohe, Hawaii • 3 mths ago
Michelle Duggar? Now there's a prime conservative candidate for birth control.
Thomas • 3 mths ago
Elmo 2012.
Echo • 3 mths ago
Rick James 2012
ID TenTee • 3 mths ago
So the lovely and talented Eric Pfifffffferrerr is big time enough to call anyone "quasi"? I guess having a Yahoo blog must count for something. Maybe his mother is proud of him? Maybe?
Cranky guy • 3 mths ago
I am fascinated. Just tell me one thing. Once you tax away the rich guys wealth, who will pay for things?

Best estimate, if you took EVERY DIME the richest 1% have, it would pay the deficit for 3 months. Then what?

One other problem: rich people aren't rich, at least most of them, because they have lots of cash. Most of them, like Buffet for example, own lots of stuff, like companies and stock and real estate. The government can't spend buildings or stock, they need cash. If you take their stuff, someone else has to have money to buy it. If you take all the money from the rich people, who will provide the money then?

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